CENTER-POINT: KEEPING JESUS AT THE CENTER OF IT ALL
Romans 14:8-9, Philippians 2:9-10
Well, good morning! It’s so great to see you all this morning.
I missed you last week — I was actually in New York City with my brother and sister. We were celebrating my sister’s 50th birthday. And we couldn’t have picked a colder weekend to go…but it was so much fun. I thought I might show you a few pictures of our trip.
- This is one of my sister and me as we were flying to meet my brother!
- Here’s one of the three of us on the train from the airport — headed to the subway.
- This is us enjoying a platter of RAW OYSTERS at the Chelsea Market.
- And this is us on our way back home.
We had a great time together…just growing closer and sharing our love for each other. I will say, I missed you though — and it’s great to be back home.
I know that last week Pastor Lee kicked-off our newest series we’re calling BETTER TOGETHER: Elements of great relationships!) In that message, he addressed the fact that — Our relationship with God is deeply important if we want to have healthy relationships with others.
And this morning, I really want to pick-up where he left off with this message I’ve called: CHRIST @ THE CENTER!
And, the main point I want to make today is: We must be diligent to put Jesus in that place He belongs…at the center of our lives — and then we must be sure to bring Him into the center of each and every relations we have…because:
“If He ain’t in it — it ain’t gonna be good!”
To begin, I want to show you a quick clip from a well-known TV commercial from the late 60’s. See if you remember this one?
(SHOW: THE TOOTSIE ROLL COMMERCIAL)
How many of you remember that one?
According to the official Tootsie Roll website, over 50,000 children have written in since the launching of the commercial in 1970, claiming they know how many licks it takes. Their responses have ranged from 100 to 5,800.
But, according to independent research studies which have been done, the answer does vary. Engineering students at Purdue University devised a “licking machine” that showed an average of 364 licks are needed to get to the center. A human study of volunteers, reported it to be 252 licks. And a study from the University of Michigan came up with an average of 411 licks.
Well, I showed you that to emphasize the importance of knowing what’s at our center. Or as it’s often described today — our CORE.
- And I wonder, what’s at your center?
- What have you built your life upon?
- What is it that really defines you — as a person?
This question really seems to determine our identity and therefore, all relationships we’ll have in life as well.
If your center is right — if it’s settled and strong, then your relationships have the potential of reflecting that strength and solidarity. But, if your core is weak…if you’ve not established your identity and center in Christ, I submit to you that all other relationships in your life will be unsettled and unstable. Because you were designed (first and foremost) to be connected to God (thru Christ) — and then be connected to others.
Last week, Pastor Lee shared a verse with you where Jesus was asked about the most important responsibility in life…and He said, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength…and the second most important thing is to love others as yourself!”
His point was first to settle the question of who’s at the center of your life…and then build all other relationships upon that foundation.
In essence, Jesus says that all of life comes down to this — to LORDSHIP!
Now, I know that’s somewhat an outdated word in our culture…but Lordship was at the very heart of everything Jesus had to say and do. In fact, it was this issue of LORDSHIP that ultimately lead Him to give His life for you and me on the cross. The apostle Paul makes this clear in Romans 14:8-9. Look at it with me.
Here Paul writes,
“If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.”
Romans 14:8-9 (NLT)
“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth…”
Philippians 2:9-10 (NLT)
R. G. Lee spoke of the sovereign authority of Jesus’ name in a sermon entitledThe Name AboveEvery Name, from Philippians 2:9-10. He said,
“The transcendence of the name of Jesus and its everlasting glory depend upon the work accomplished at the place called Calvary and at the open grave.”
“It is because of that, dear friends, that He stands out today the First Begotten from the dead, ‘that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.’ ‘His name shall endure forever.’”
“When the names of earth’s benefactors are no more remembered, when the achievements of science are no longer of value, when the guesses of philosophers are seen to be in vain, when time shall be no more – multitudes, in praise of Him in gratitude for salvation through His name — JESUS, will still sing the song of Moses, and of the Lamb of enduring name.”
“When the Caesars and Charlemagne, the Napoleons and Wellingtons and their so-called splendid victories are forgotten, the multitudinous trophies of His saving power, in enjoyment of His endless fruits of His blood-bought victories, will sing the praises of His peerless name.”
“There never was a name like the name of Jesus – so representative of sacrificial love at its best. And someday, ‘every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord … to the glory of God the Father.’”
When the lordship of Jesus is a settled issue in the Christian’s life, all other issues are settled. It is my privilege and responsibility to teach the members of my congregation what the Bible says about serving God; witnessing and soul winning; stewardship of time, talent, and treasure; faithfulness to God’s work; missions; and many other aspects of Christian responsibility. I contend that if the Christian has settled the lordship issue, then all other issues in his life are also settled. When Jesus is Lord of a person’s life, he will fulfill his duties, obligations, and responsibilities with joy.
Along with this…when Jesus is the Lord of your life — then you will keep Him at the center of your relationships as well.
S.M. Zwemer makes a sobering statement about the lordship of Jesus Christ:
“Unless Jesus is Lord OF all, He is not Lord AT all.”
Folks, this is a challenge to all Christians to bring every area of our lives under the sovereign rule of Jesus Christ. In our lives there should be no rivalry for His throne.
The lordship of Jesus has both future and present relevance in our lives.
Again, let me remind you of the words of Philippians 2:9-10:
“Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth…”
Philippians 2:9-10 (NLT)
This passage has both future and present application.
There is coming a day when every person who has ever lived will bow and acknowledge that Jesus Christ is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. But for the Christian that great confession should be an everyday reality.
A Christian should live moment by moment in faithful submission to the lordship of Jesus Christ.
Because, that’s the central message of the Bible — “Jesus Christ is Lord!”
I must say again that the most important truth in relation to the Christian experience is the lordship of Jesus Christ. If this is true, and I do believe that it is, should it not compel us to make the proclamation of this message a matter of priority and urgency?
Could it be that the source of defeat, discouragement, and despair in the lives of some Christians is, in large part, the fact that they are attempting to live the Christian life in their own strength and power? They have not yet discovered the truth taught by Paul in Philippians 4:13 (NKJV):
“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV)
When we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior, it involves a recognition of His lordship, for the Savior who saved us when we received Him by faith is the Lord Jesus Christ.
We cannot and do not receive Him as Savior only. We receive Him as Lord and Savior.
1. SO, WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO CALL HIM LORD OF OUR LIVES?
Well, for Jesus to be Lord of your life — it means that He is the ruler, the boss, the master of your whole life. He cannot be Lord of a part – He must be given control of everything – your whole life.
In Colossians 1:18, Paul describes who Jesus is, by telling us:
“Christ…is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead.So he is first in everything.”
This word SUPREME means — to be 1st! Or to hold 1st place.
The only way our lives fit and work correctly is when Jesus has that supreme place of pre-eminence in our lives!
But let me show you another picture of what it means to call Jesus LORD! In Matthew 26, the story of Jesus and the impending betrayal is told.
Lordship — if it means anything, it means to belong to Jesus! The actual Greek word that is used by the writers of the New Testament is the word kyrios (to possess — or own…in reference to the ownership of Jesus over your life).
Now I tell you this is important — because if you’re sold out to Jesus (if He is your Lord) then it will impact the way you live…and your response to Him.
In this story in Matthew 26, we’re told:
20 When it was evening, Jesus sat down at the table with the twelve disciples. 21 While they were eating, he said, “I tell you the truth, one of you will betray me.” 22 Greatly distressed, each one asked in turn, “Am I the one, Lord?” 23 He replied, “One of you who has just eaten from this bowl with me will betray me. 24 For the Son of Man must die, as the Scriptures declared long ago. But how terrible it will be for the one who betrays him. It would be far better for that man if he had never been born!” 25 Judas, the one who would betray him, also asked, “Rabbi, am I the one?”
Did you catch the significance of LORDSHIP in this passage?
For the committed disciples — they recognized Jesus as their OWNER! One by one they asked, “Am I the one, Lord?”
But when Judas questioned Jesus on this subject — (knowing he was the one), he asked, “Rabbi, am I the one?”
For the disciples, they reveal their loyalty to Jesus LORDSHIP — but for Judas…he never allows Jesus to be anything more than just a teacher — or influencer. But Jesus desires to do SO MUCH MORE than just influence you! He wants to OWN YOU!
Paul addressed the subject of ownership in 1 Corinthians 6:19-20:
“Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.” (NLT).
HIS POINT: We are not our own. We were bought at a price. We belong to Jesus. We are His purchased possession. When we yield to the lordship of Jesus Christ, we acknowledge His ownership and give up all personal rights.
2. AND, WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE TO MAKE HIM LORD OF OUR LIVES?
If Jesus Christ is really the Lord of your life?
- You will Submit
- You will Obey
- You will Serve…Him completely!
- • Let’s consider how we submit:
This involves taking your hands off the controls of your life and allowing Him to be in control.
If Jesus is our Lord, then we will be submitted to Him in every way.
The late F. B. Meyer (former pastor of Christ Church in the heart of London during the nineteenth century) at a time when he was experiencing great public success, that something was lacking in his life and ministry.
One author recounts his story, writing:
“Dr. Meyer…in…his early Christian life was marred and his ministry paralyzed just because he had kept back one thing from the bunch of keys he had given to the Lord. Every key save one! The key (to one of the rooms of his life) was kept for personal use, and the Lord shut out.
The effect of the incomplete consecration was found in lack of power, lack of assurance, lack of joy and peace. The joy of the Lord begins when we hand over the last key. We sit with Christ on His throne as soon as we have surrendered our crowns, and made Him sole and only ruler of our life and its possessions.”
F. B. Meyer experienced the lordship of Jesus Christ when he handed over the last key area of his life! He had kept back the key to one room in his life and it brought great defeat.
Remember, if He is not Lord of all (of every room), then He is not Lord at all. Have you yielded keys to every room in your life? Does He have the key to every room in your private life? Does He have the key to every room in your physical/ public life? Is there a room marked “private – keep out?” If so, you must be willing to submit that key to the Lord.
- • Along with submitting, we must obey:
Yielding to the lordship of Jesus Christ also involves total and unreserved obedience. If He is the Lord of your life, you are going to do what He tells you to do.
If asked what I consider to be the most important word in the Christian vocabulary, I would say, “Obedience.” We move forward in our spiritual growth in direct proportion to our obedience to the revealed truth of God’s Word.
I like to read the account of Elijah’s response to God in 1 Kings 17 and 18. The Word of the Lord came to Elijah, and he did what God told him to do. Several times God spoke and Elijah obeyed. As a result of his obedience, Elijah was used in a powerful way to exalt God’s name. His response to God’s Word was always immediate and exact. He did precisely what God told him to do as soon as God told him to do it.
OBEDIENCE is really–the litmus test of LORDSHIP! And remember that delayed obedience is the same as disobedience.
Jesus raised an important question:
“So why do you keep calling Me `Lord, Lord,’ when you don’t do what I say?” (Luke 6:46, NLT)
And I think we need to address that question. Are we doing what the Lord has instructed us to do? And — are we doing it immediately and completely? I wonder — is your obedience up to date?
- • Along with submitting & Obedience, We Must SERVE Christ Completely:
There must be a time in your life when you, like the prophet Isaiah, are willing to say, “Here am I Lord, send me.”
Sometime ago I was introduced to the three A’s of Christian service — and they really reflect the live lived under Lordship to Jesus. And it’s this:
WHEN IT COMES TO MY SUBMISSION OF JESUS’S CALL, I WILL ANSWER:
- Anywhere,
- Anytime, and
- Any cost.
Folks, the lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives involves our willingness to go where He sends us, when He sends us, regardless of the cost. Is Jesus the Lord of this area in your life?
Can you honestly say, “Anywhere, Lord! Anytime, Lord! Any cost, Lord?”
The Christian life is a wonderful life. Christ has made every provision for His children to live full and abundant lives, but there is a cost involved. Such a life does not come cheaply nor easily. The life Christ has for His children requires that we die to ourselves. There can be no rivals to the throne of our life. It is to be occupied by Jesus alone.
Folks, while the intent of this series of messages is to equip you to live better in connection with others (be it in marriage, or at work, or at home with your children, or with those you call friends). While our intent is to prepare you to excel in this area of your life — you must understand, your relationship with Christ is vital to you experiencing a healthy relationship with others.
And the place where Christ requires you put him — is at the center of it all! As Lord, Christ requires you submit every area of life to him. Especially that of your relationships with others.
I want to close this message with words written by E. H. Swinstead:
Lord of every thought and action,
Lord to send and Lord to stay;
Lord in speaking, writing, giving,
Lord in all things to obey;
Now and evermore to be.
CLOSING PRAYER